when it comes to just pure optics of the house leaving with the fiscal cliff right in front of us -- >> i'll be here and i'll be available at any moment to sit down with the president to get serious about solving this problem. >> in fact, sending lawmakers home is a way for house republicans to illustrate their current message, your move, mr. president. >> we need a response from the white house, we can't negotiate with ourselves. >> john boehner made a point at expressing dismay the president hasn't responded two days after the republicans sent him a fiscal cliff counteroffer. >> if the president doesn't agree with our proposal and our outline, i think he's got an obligation to send one to the congress. and a plan that can pass both chambers of congress. >> by trying to keep gop frustration on the president, boehner appears to be keeping conservative lawmakers off his own back for now. >> what's mood inside the conference. >> very united, very supportive with the speaker. >> multiple sources tell cnn in a private meeting with house republicans, boehner got no flow back for producing